more from Robert Fogelin

Single Idea 6604

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 5. Objectivism in Art]

Full Idea

"It is all a matter of taste" may be an all-purpose stopper of discussions of aesthetic values, but it also completely severs the connection with the actual properties of the object under consideration.

Gist of Idea

Saying 'It's all a matter to taste' ignores the properties of the object discussed

Source

Robert Fogelin (Walking the Tightrope of Reason [2003], Ch.6)

Book Reference

Fogelin,Robert: 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' [OUP 2004], p.146


A Reaction

This remark grows out of his discussion of Hume. I like this remark, which ties in with Particularism in morality, and with the central role of experiments in science. The world forces beliefs on us.